Waymo has officially opened its next-generation, China-built Zeekr "Ojai" robotaxi to all riders in select US markets and confirmed the integration of Hyundai's popular IONIQ 5 SUV into its 6th-generation autonomous fleet, cementing the Alphabet unit's shift from Jaguar I-PACE retrofits to purpose-built passenger vehicles at scale.
Ojai: the first true robotaxi in the Waymo fleet
Designed jointly with Geely-owned Zeekr, the Ojai is a lounge-style, sliding-door minivan built from the ground up for driverless operation. There is no steering wheel, no pedals and B-pillar sensors are integrated into the body rather than bolted on. Waymo says the vehicle enters public service after a multi-month controlled rollout in Los Angeles and Austin, with rider-facing features such as smart luggage bays, individual climate zones and touchscreen ride controls.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 joins the platform
Alongside the Ojai, Waymo is officially adding the Hyundai IONIQ 5 to its 6th-generation autonomous fleet. The 800V, E-GMP-based crossover has proven a favourite of ride-hailing operators for its fast charging and interior space; Waymo will kit it with its next-gen sensor stack. The Korean automaker's earlier public-market push into embodied AI — via its Boston Dynamics unit and recent Korean Air / Archer eVTOL work — reinforces the platform strategy.
Race for scale
The launches accelerate Waymo's national buildout to 11 rider cities, with a 32,000-square-foot service depot leased in Washington, D.C. this month. Rivals are moving too: Zoox's NHTSA exemption unlocked 2,500 purpose-built vehicles in Las Vegas, and Nevada regulators approved commercial permits for Waymo, Tesla and Uber earlier this month. Waymo's dual-vehicle strategy — a purpose-built Ojai and a mass-market IONIQ 5 — signals that the era of retrofit robotaxis is drawing to a close.
Reporting based on coverage from InsideEVs, TechCrunch, Rotten Wifi and Waymo's own updates page.